The first day of IKKF would feature Rugmangadacharitham and Utharaswayamvaram. Rugmangadacharitham was penned in the latter half of eighteenth century by Travancore courtier Mandavappalli Ittirarissamenon. The play is a seamless amalgamation of the two popular medieval themes of Bhakti (devotion) and Sringara (Romance). Rugmangada, scion of the Sun dynasty, is enamoured of the enchantress Mohini. His lascivious pursuit aside, Rugmangada is steadfast about the observance of Ekadashi in which celibacy and fasting are important. In a bid to test Rugmangada, Mohini approaches him with amorous intent on the day of Ekadashi. The conflict that ensues and how Rugmangada’s wife and son (Sandhyavali and Dharmangada) become embroiled in it and the final denouement forms the plot of this musically and emotionally attractive play.
Main characters and artistes in the order of appearance :
Rugmangadan – Kalamandalam Gopi
Mohini – Margi Vijayakumar
Brahmanar – Kalamandalam Soman, Kalamandalam Neeraj
Dharmangadan – Kalamandalam Vipin
Sandhyavali – Kalamandalam Vijayakumar
Vishnu – Kalamandalam Adithyan
Schedule: Thursday, December 1, 2016 – 4.30 pm
Venue: HRH Princess Haya Bint Hussein Theatre, GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai.
